FROM

In Liberia, as in other African countries with a wild chimpanzee
population, poachers kill adult chimps for bushmeat and sell their babies as
exotic pets.

After being confiscated by wildlife authorities, Ella, a victim of the
exotic pet trade whose mother was killed by poachers, finds peace and
happiness at Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP)

When chimpanzee rescuer Jenny Desmond heard that exotic pet traffickers
were attempting to sell a baby in Monrovia (the capital of Liberia), she
swung into action, working with local wildlife authorities to both rescue
the chimp and capture the perpetrator. Desmond, who runs Liberia Chimpanzee
Rescue and Protection (LCRP) with her husband Jim, set up a sting operation
to lure the trafficker onto her property; document him asking for money; and
have him arrested by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the
government agency that enforces Liberiaís wildlife laws. Desmond
CAPTURED THE STING ON CAMERA.

The trafficker, who appeared to be in his 20s, told Ms. Desmond and the
FDA official that he purchased the chimp from hunters. In Liberia, as in
other African countries with a wild chimpanzee population, poachers kill
adult chimps for bushmeat and sell their babies as exotic pets.

Jenny Desmond of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection comforts Ella, a
baby chimp who is clinging on to the exotic pet trafficker who was
attempting to sell her.

Before the Desmonds created a chimpanzee sanctuary, Liberian officials
turned a blind eye to the sale of baby chimps because they didnít have a
place to bring them following a confiscation. The lack of enforcement has,
until now, enabled the exotic pet trade to flourish. While the Desmonds
continue to receive confiscated chimps, they anticipate that the numbers
will dwindle over time as poachers and traffickers come to the realization
that authorities are confiscating animals and prosecuting the crimes.

Two of the approximately 20 chimps rescued by Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue
& Protection after being held captive.

Since arriving in Liberia in 2015, the Desmonds have rescued over 20
chimps, all of whom are being housed in a makeshift sanctuary. In December,
2017, they leased a 100 acre tract of forested land on the local river where
they plan to build a proper sanctuary from the ground up. The sanctuary,
LCRP, will have enclosed areas in the forest so that the chimps can live in
a semi-wild environment by day; night time housing for the younger chimps; a
clinic; a commissary for food preparation; isolation areas for new arrivals
to prevent the spread of illnesses; housing for caregivers and volunteers;
public areas for education and conservation programs; and administrative
offices.

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